How scarce is the Pondicherry HG 12 mark on this cover?

The census grades Pondicherry HG 12 as very common, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1849–1858.

When was COV-5379 posted?

COV-5379 is dated 1850, within the recorded period of use of Pondicherry HG 12 (1849–1858).

COV-5379

1850 Pondicherry Cover

Back to census|Pondicherry HG 12 · 36 covers recorded

← COV-5335 COV-5402 →

Pre-stamp cover of India — 1850, Pondicherry HG 12 handstruck folded letter (COV-5379)

Scan or Photo Courtesy of Grosvenor Auctions

Date

1850

Description

India: Covers and Cancellations: 1850 (July 7) wrapper to Bordeaux with framed “PONDICHERRY/Paid ‘A2’” (Giles SD20) datestamp, “INDIA PAID” (Giles SD20) crescent moon (endorsed ‘2A’ prepaid above this mark) and “INDES OR/MARSEILLE” (Salles 730) transit c.d.s. and rated ‘30’ decimes due. Reverse with a framed ”MADRAS/G.P.O.” datestamp and Bordeaux arrival c.d.s. Photo.

Auction

Grosvenor Philatelic Auctions

GPA 168: British Empire and Foreign Countries, Lot 1025, (2025)

Grosvenor Philatelic Auctions

GPA 164: British Empire & Foreign Countries, Lot 921, (2025)

Grosvenor Philatelic Auctions

GPA 174: British Empire & Foreign Countries, Lot 1413, (2026)

Same office

Other recorded marks at Pondicherry

15 marks

15 other pre-1854 postal markings of Pondicherry are recorded in the census. Compare their figure numbers, dates and colours to identify the mark on your cover.

+9 more at this office.View all Pondicherry marks and postal history →

About this Pondicherry pre stamp cover

COV-5379 is a Pondicherry pre stamp cover of 1850 bearing the Pondicherry HG 12 handstamp, struck in red, recorded in the census of Pondicherry postal history — the office known today as Puducherry, Madras Presidency. What is a pre stamp cover?

Its recorded auction history runs through Grosvenor Philatelic Auctions GPA 168: British Empire and Foreign Countries lot 1025 (2025); Grosvenor Philatelic Auctions GPA 164: British Empire & Foreign Countries lot 921 (2025); and Grosvenor Philatelic Auctions GPA 174: British Empire & Foreign Countries lot 1413 (2026).

1 image of COV-5379 is recorded; the Pondicherry HG 12 mark itself is recorded in use 1849–1858.

Questions about COV-5379

What is COV-5379?: COV-5379 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Pondicherry, Madras Presidency of 1850, bearing the Pondicherry HG 12 handstamp in red. India: Covers and Cancellations: 1850 (July 7) wrapper to Bordeaux with framed “PONDICHERRY/Paid ‘A2’” (Giles SD20) datestamp, “INDIA PAID” (Giles SD20) crescent moon (endorsed ‘2A’ prepaid above this mark) and “INDES OR/MARSEILLE” (Salles 730) transit c.d.s. and rated ‘30’ decimes due. Reverse with a framed ”MADRAS/G.P.O.” datestamp and Bordeaux arrival c.d.s. Photo.
How scarce is the Pondicherry HG 12 mark on this cover?: The census grades Pondicherry HG 12 as very common, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1849–1858.
What is the provenance of COV-5379?: Its recorded auction history runs through Grosvenor Philatelic Auctions GPA 168: British Empire and Foreign Countries lot 1025 (2025); Grosvenor Philatelic Auctions GPA 164: British Empire & Foreign Countries lot 921 (2025); and Grosvenor Philatelic Auctions GPA 174: British Empire & Foreign Countries lot 1413 (2026).
When was COV-5379 posted?: COV-5379 is dated 1850, within the recorded period of use of Pondicherry HG 12 (1849–1858).

About this record

This 1850 pre stamp cover of British India bears the Pondicherry HG 12 handstamp of the Madras Presidency, a mark graded “Very common” in this census — one of 36 surviving covers with this mark recorded. It has appeared at auction with Grosvenor Philatelic Auctions, GPA 168: British Empire and Foreign Countries, lot 1025, (2025); Grosvenor Philatelic Auctions, GPA 164: British Empire & Foreign Countries, lot 921, (2025); Grosvenor Philatelic Auctions, GPA 174: British Empire & Foreign Countries, lot 1413, (2026).